Phil at Brandywine Books asked a very long time ago: “What are seven classical music works you love?” I’ve had this list in my drafts folder for ages, and now that I’m on blogging hiatus is the time to post it. Sorry to take so long to answer, Phil.

1. Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major.

2. Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

3. Aaron Copland’s Hoedown from the ballet Rodeo.

“I don’t compose. I assemble materials.” Quoted in Aaron Copland: the Life and Work of an Uncommon Man.

4. Ferde Grofe’s Grand Canyon Suite. A lesson plan for teaching about the Grand Canyon Suite.

5. Handel’s Messiah.

6. Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.

7. Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

I know. I’m not exactly a collector of esoteric and obscure musical works. I just like regular stuff.

Since today is Handel’s birthday, however, the list is timely in a different way.

George Frederic Handel, b. 1685, in Halle in the Duchy of Magdeburg.